The quote from Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" expresses the deep connection between storytelling and the acknowledgment of existence. The act of narrating implies recognition of someone else's presence, creating a bond between the speaker and the listener. By sharing a story, the storyteller affirms the listener’s reality, which underscores the power of communication and belief.
This idea highlights the fundamental role that belief plays in relationships. When someone tells a story, they not only convey information but also reinforce the existence and importance of the audience. Thus, storytelling becomes an act of creating existence; in declaring a narrative, the storyteller makes their listener come alive, suggesting that connection and recognition are essential to human experience.